Zarate could face ban

The Italian football authorities are expected to look into events at the end of Lazio's 3-1 defeat to Bologna as Mauro Zarate was accused of spitting at an opponent and throwing a punch.

Lazio, who dropped to fourth in the table, saw Andre Dias sent off five minutes from time as a scuffle broke out with the team trailing 2-1. Bologna substitute Henry Gimenez was also sent from the bench.

At the final whistle, Zarate is said to have thrown a ball at opponent Matteo Rubin's head before becoming involved in an altercation. It is claimed he threw a punch at Albin Ekdal but accidentally struck the referee's assistant.

Bologna coach Alberto Malesani said: "Zarate also spat at Rubin. Gaston Ramirez needs X-rays for a fractured cheekbone from Dias in the first half. Diego Perez reacted to defend his team-mate, as did Gimenez before that red card.

"Perhaps Zarate was coming off a period of tension and he even spat at Rubin's face after hitting him with the ball following the final whistle.

"Our Uruguayans are good people and mentally strong. It's not right that all this chaos ruins a great performance and 3-1 victory."